The eight-episode series, which aired its third episode on the evening of 12/9, recorded an average viewership rating of 7.3% in South Korea, according to Nielsen Korea. The show leads Friday night viewership, with a 2.57% rating among viewers aged 20-49. At its peak, viewership reached 8.3%.

Directed by Byun Young Joo and written by Lee Young Jong, "Queen Mantis" is a remake of a French television series. The story revolves around Jung Yi Shin (played by Go Hyun Jung), a killer nicknamed "Mantis," imprisoned after murdering five men. When a new killer emerges, mirroring her ruthless style, the police seek Yi Shin's cooperation in solving the case. Cha Soo Yeol (played by Jang Dong Yoon), her son who harbors lifelong resentment towards her and is now a police officer, is forced to collaborate in the hunt for the killer.

iMBC praises Go Hyun Jung's performance as the highlight of the series, showcasing her transformation in the role of a murderer. She portrays the character's complexity through her eyes and expressions. The encounters between Yi Shin and her son reveal the conflicts in their relationship, interweaving love, hatred, and psychological pain. Hyun Jung's performance evokes memories of her roles as Misil in "Queen Seon Deok," lawyer Choi Ja Hye in "Return," and the coldness of Kim Mo Mi in "Mask Girl."

According to Nate, Hyun Jung's portrayal emphasizes the tense confrontation between Jung Yi Shin and her son. The character sometimes smiles briefly at her son's small actions, while at other times trembles with rage. "In the final scene of episode three, through her acting skills, she pushes Jang Dong Yoon's character into a deadlock, bringing the episode to a climax," Nate writes.

Go Hyun Jung in "Queen Mantis." Photo: SBS

However, the series has limitations in expressing psychological development mainly through dialogue, sometimes lacking resonance from other characters. The adaptation from an existing work makes the ending predictable.

Subsequent episodes are expected to delve deeper into the killer's identity, the mother-son relationship, and internal conflicts within the police force. Experts predict the series' success depends on whether the production team can transcend the typical investigative motif to explore the human psyche.

Go Hyun Jung, 54, the 1989 Miss Korea runner-up, is known for her roles in "Hourglass," "Spring Day," "Queen Seon Deok," "The President," and "Mask Girl." Despite her talent, she has faced criticism for unprofessional behavior. News1 reported on Hyun Jung smoking in class while teaching at university, being late, and discriminating against students. In 2018, she clashed with the director and withdrew from the film "Return" mid-production.

The actress married businessman Jung Yong Jin in 1995 and they have two children. Jung Yong Jin is the nephew of the late Samsung chairman Lee Kun Hee (1942-2020) and is currently the chairman of Shinsegae Group. They divorced in 2003, and Go Hyun Jung does not have custody of her children. Sources say her former in-laws have prevented her from seeing them.

Que Chi (according to Nate, iMBC)